Wall-Mounted Home Fitness Training Equipment

ABSTRACT

An overall fitness trainer and can be a wall mounted unit that can utilize clip resistance bands as well as other techniques. These bands generally clip on the unit and onto different handles, bars and attachments to perform exercises. The unit can have a removable/adjustable pull up bar, dip bar and seat. It also includes a spring loaded, pull pin carriage that moves freely up and down a vertical spine. This allows for easy adjustment of the carriage and allows the user to attach the bands at multiple angles, widths and levels. This in turn increases the number of exercises the user can perform on the unit. The unit can be attached to the wall with lag bolts into two or more studs.

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/016,750 filedJan. 28, 2011 which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.12/228,998 filed Aug. 19, 2008. Application Ser. Nos. 13/016,750 and12/228,998 are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of home exerciseequipment and more particularly to a wall-mounted home fitness unit withremovable parts that adapts to numerous different exercises.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is known in the art to provide exercise equipment into the home whichcan be wall-mounted. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,125 teaches asingle column exercising apparatus using a stack of weights. U.S. Pat.No. 5,383,525 teaches a wall-mounted shower exercise machine used forstretching muscles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,504 teaches an adjustableexercise device that uses a two-ended cable for providing resistance topulling. U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,679 teaches a wall-mountable device thatuses a horizontal hinge rod assembly with springs. U.S. publishedapplication 2001/0004624 teaches a body exerciser that leans against awall. U.S. published application 2003/0158024 teaches a door mountedexercise device that allows pulling on bungee cords. None of these priorart systems allow parts to be removed and exchanged for differentexercises. Also most of the prior art wall-mounted home systems do notallow adjustment for different users and for causing different musclesto be exercised. It would be advantageous to have a wall-mounted, homeexercise system that overcomes the difficulties of prior art systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an overall fitness trainer and can be awall mounted unit that can utilize clip resistance bands as well asother techniques. These bands generally clip on the unit and ontodifferent handles, bars and attachments to perform exercises. The unitcan have a removable/adjustable pull up bar, dip bar and seat. It alsoincludes a spring loaded, pull pin carriage that moves freely up anddown a vertical spine. This allows for easy adjustment of the carriageand allows the user to attach the bands at multiple angles, widths andlevels. This in turn increases the number of exercises the user canperform on the unit. The unit also typically has an o ring that attachesthrough the arm of the pull up attachment as well as a ½ O-ring at thebottom of the unit again increasing the number of exercises the user canperform. The unit can be attached to the wall with lag bolts into two ormore studs with two being preferred. Some embodiments of the presentinvention have an adjustable swivel foot that takes the stress off ofthe lag bolts and also adds to the overall load capacity of the unit.The present invention typically has an optional telescoping centralvertical spine that splits in two pieces to make the unit easier toship. The central vertical spine allows attachments to be added andremoved using spring loaded pins or plunger pins. Various embodiments ofthe invention can have an oscillating and telescopic bench, a dip bar, aseat, a knee stabilizer and a foot rest. All of these accessories can beattached and removed to the central spine adding to the versatility andscope of exercises that can be performed. The present invention issuitable for physical therapy/rehabilitation facilities, commercial gymsand schools, as well as home use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Attention is directed to several figures that illustrate the concepts ofthe present invention:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention with several accessories attached.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 with several metal accessories onthe vertical spine.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows a user facing the unit performing an exercise.

FIG. 6 shows a particular embodiment of a two-piece spine.

FIG. 7 shows a detail of a removable horizontal bar.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of a removable arm bar.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention with an ankle cuff.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention with a baseball bat.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the invention with a baseball.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the invention with the bench attached andextended.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for chest presses.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for chin-ups.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for curls.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the invention with a football.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the invention with a golf club.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of the invention with a plyo ball.

FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for a single curl.

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for a squat.

FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of the invention arranged for a tricepexercise.

FIG. 22 shows a baseball bat handle with a ring.

FIG. 23 shows a baseball with a ring.

FIG. 24 shows a medicine ball with a ring.

FIG. 25 shows boxing gloves with rings.

FIG. 26 shows a straight bar.

FIG. 27 shows a football with a ring.

FIG. 28 shows a curl bar.

FIG. 29 shows a squat belt.

FIG. 30 shows a band with clips.

FIG. 31 shows a golf club handle.

FIG. 32 shows details of a band clip and attachment.

FIG. 33 shows a group of bands with different pull forces.

FIGS. 34A-34C show an ab-exerciser cart.

Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid inunderstanding the present invention. The scope of the present inventionis not limited to what is shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wall-mountable home fitness orexercise apparatus and method that allows a user to perform numerousexercises on the same piece of equipment by simply changing outaccessory parts. The unit generally has a single rigid central spine. Atwo inch rectangular steel channel is preferred; however, any strongvertical member can be used. Onto this spine, a group of removableaccessories can be attached or removed at will. Several differentelastic cord attachments and attachment points inject resistance intovarious exercises. At least the following accessories can be used withthe present invention: straight bar with ½ O-ring and outer attachments,leg press, ankle cuffs, Ab blaster/leg extension, single Handle, curlbar, rope, bench, step, Ab slings, Plyo ball, boxing gloves w/sewn inD-ring, base ball bat handle, golf handle, baseball/softball andfootball. It should be noted that the abbreviation Ab means abdomen.

Turning to FIG. 1, a portion of a wall 1 and a floor 2 can be seen. Avertical spine 3 is securely attached to the wall 1. At the top of thespine 3, an outward hanging portion 10 allows attachment of variousitems such as a bungie 19 and bar 15, a boxing bag or punching bag, orother device. Further down the spine 3, a horizontal bar 7 is shown witha bungie 18 and hand pull 16. Further down, a set of arm bars 6 and backrest 5 can be seen. Still further down, a seat 4 is attached. Each ofthese attachments shown can slide up and down on the spine 3. Inaddition, each attachment or accessory can be removed using a pin orspring-loaded pull pin, where the pin inserts in a hole 12 in the spine3. In particular, any of the accessories can be arranged vertically inany order. The order shown in FIG. 1 is simply to illustrate aparticular configuration of the device.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 without the bungies. Here severalstud mounts or stud plates 14 can be seen. These are typically chosen toreach between two studs so that secure mounting can be made with a pairof lag bolts on each of these stud mounts 14. The embodiment of FIG. 2has three stud mounts 14 vertically along the spine 3. Shown also inFIG. 2 is a ring 11 attached to the center of the horizontal bar 7.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2. The stud mounts14 can be clearly seen against the wall 1. Each of the attachments oraccessories can have a partial or full channel to fit around the spine3. The seat has a channel 8; the arm bar a channel 12; the horizontalbar has a channel 13. The top extension 10 can also be removed verticalfrom the spine 3. In FIG. 3, the ring 11 on the horizontal bar can beseen as well as a ring or half-ring 17 on the top extension 10. Otherrings or attachments may be built into various accessories.

FIG. 4 shows a straight-on front view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.The stud mounts 14 can be seen. It should be noted that the stud mounts14 can be of any length to fit any types of studs or to attach to morethan two studs. While two studs are preferred for strength and ease ofmounting, any number of studs is within the scope of the presentinvention. FIG. 4 also shows a pull-up bar 9 mounted to the top of theunit onto the top extension 10 (see FIGS. 1-3).

FIG. 5 shows a stick-figure user performing one particular exercise. Itshould be noted that the apparatus and method of the present inventionallows numerous different exercises to be performed. A complete list ofexercises supported by the present invention can be found at the end ofthis disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a detail of a particular embodiment and realization of thevertical spine 3. This particular embodiment allows the spine 3 to besplit into an upper part 3 a and a lower part 3 b for ease of packingand shipping. The two parts of the spine can be coupled together withbolts for strength or by any other strong coupling method. Theparticular embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has dimensions to aid in theunderstanding of the invention. These dimensions are for example only;any dimensions are within the scope of the present invention. These arepreferred dimensions; however, many different dimensions may be used. Inthis particular example, both the top and bottom half-spines are 36inches long. Each has holes 2 inches apart, and each hole is 0.44 inchin diameter.

FIG. 7 shows a detail of an embodiment of the horizontal bar 7. Here apartial channel 20 allows it to be inserted and removed from thevertical spine 3 (shown in FIG. 2). A spring-loaded pull pin 23 allowsthe bar 7 to be moved vertically along the spine 3 and to be removed.Each end of the bar 7 has attachment points 22 for bungies which canalso be called stretch cords, or other exercise accessories. The centerof the bar 7 can be optionally equipped with a half-ring 21 and a fullring 11.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of an embodiment of an arm bar 6. The bar 6 canhave flat plates 15 which can hold pads or soft rolls to protect thearm. A half channel 25 allows attachment and removal from the spine 3(see FIG. 2). Fittings 24 can hold vertical handles.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention with an ankle cuff 26. Herethe user stands and can pull the cuff 26 against a bungie. FIG. 10 showsan embodiment with a baseball bat 27. A standing user can swing the bat27 into a bungie. FIG. 11 shows a baseball 39 attached to a bungie. Astanding user can practices throwing the ball 39 against the force ofthe bungie. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the invention fully benched.A seat 29, back 28 and legs 30 from a sitting bench that can be used inmany exercises or with weights. The back 28 and seat 29 can be adjustedboth in angle and height. FIG. 13 shows an arrangement of the device setup for chest presses. A bar 31 can be pressed outward against a bungie.FIG. 14 shows an arrangement set up for chin-ups. A standing user canchin themselves vertically on the bar 9. FIG. 15 shows a set up forcurls using the bar 32. FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the inventionwith a football 33. A standing user can pass the football 33 against theforce of the bungie. FIG. 17 shows a set up with a golf club 34. Here anindividual can swing the club 34 into the force of the bungie. FIG. 18shows a set up with a plyo ball 35. The user can manipulate the ball 35against the force of the bungie. FIG. 19 shows a set up for a singlecurl using a hand grip 18 that works against the force of a bungie. FIG.20 shows an embodiment of the invention set up for squats. A strap 36and pad 37 allow the user to perform squats. FIG. 21 shows a setup witha special handle 38 for a tricep exercise.

As has been described, the present invention includes many differentattachments and exercise devices that may be attached with snaps orrings, with or without stretch cords.

FIG. 22 shows a baseball bat handle that is a streamlined version of afull length bat. The bat is cut off so that the user holds only thehandle. A ring can attached to a stretch cord and onto any part of theapparatus.

FIG. 23 shows a baseball with an embedded O-ring. This can be attachedwith a clip to a stretchable cord and to any piece of the apparatus. Theball can be gripped and a user can go through a pitching action.

FIG. 24 shows a handled medicine ball with a ring that can be attachedwith a stretch cord to any part of the apparatus.

FIG. 25 shows a pair of boxing gloves that can have rings that can beattached with a stretch cord to any part of the apparatus. A user canthus box against the force of the cord strengthening arm and wristmuscles.

FIG. 26 shows a straight bar that can be used with the presentinvention.

FIG. 27 shows a football with a ring that can be moved against the forceof the cord such as in a pass movement strengthening the arm muscles.

FIG. 28 shows a curl bar that can be used with the present invention.

FIG. 29 shows a squat belt that can be worn around the waist using thestraps shown. The belt can then be attached to the apparatus at one orseveral points with stretch cords. The belt can be used for squat orother exercises simply be setting where the cords are attached to theapparatus.

FIG. 30 shows a typical stretch cord band with clips on each end. Thistype of band can be attached on one end to any of the accessoriesdescribed, and on the other end to any part of the apparatus appropriatefor a particular exercise.

FIG. 31 shows a golf club handle that is cut off in a manner similar tothe baseball handle of FIG. 22. Many other accessories can be made likethe baseball handle of FIG. 22 or the golf club handle of FIG. 31. Inparticular, a hockey stick can be cut off with an O-ring placed at thebottom part of the stick just above the blade, and a lacrosse stick canbe made in a similar way by cutting it short and placing an O-ring onthe back side just underneath the end.

The present invention forms a complete system that can accommodatenumerous exercises by simply changing the arrangement. The frame canmount simply to the wall in a garage, house or other building.

List of Exercises Supported by the Present Invention

Chest Exercises

1 Arm Standing Chest Press w/ Handle

Standing Chest Press w/Straight Bar

Close Grip Bench Press Curl Bar Standing Chest Fly w/ Handles SeatedIncline Bench Press Straight Bar Seated Incline Bench Fly w/ HandlesSeated Bench Press w/ Straight Bar Seated Bench Press w/ Handles SeatedBench Flies w/ Handles

Dips on Dip Bar attachment

Single Arm Chest Fly W/Handle Perpendicular to Machine 2 Handled ChestSqueeze

Pullovers w/handles or straight bar

Cable Cross Over Handles Elevated Resistance Push Ups (Feet on Bench)Back Exercises High Standing Row Straight Bar Reverse Grip High StandingRow Straight Bar

One arm high row handleOne arm low row handle

Straight Arm Pull Downs Straight Bar

Low Pulley Row sitting on Step Handle or Straight Bar

Wide Handled Reverse Fly Handles Seated One Arm Pull Down Handle SeatedPulldown Straight Bar Wide Bent Over Row Straight Bar Good MorningsStraight Bar or Rope Pull Ups Chin Ups

Back Hyper extensions

Lat Pull Over on Bench Handles Biceps Standing Curls Straight BarStanding Curls Curl Bar

1 Arm Alternating Standing Curl Handles At multiple angles

2 Arm Standing Curls Handles 1 Arm Hammer Curl 1 Arm HandledConcentration Curl High Handled Curl High Curl Bar Seated Curl Back ToMachine Incline Handled Curl Triceps Push Downs Curl Bar Push DownsStraight Bar Push Downs Rope Incline French Presses Curl Bar or HandlesFlat French Presses Curl Bar or Handles Reverse Grip Pushdowns Curl Bar1 Arm Seated Tricep Extensions 1 Arm Handled Reverse Grip PushdownStanding Tricep Extension Back To Machine Rope/Curl Bar 1 Arm Kick BacksHandle 2 Arm Kick Backs Facing Machine Curl Bar Dips Bench Dips CrossBody Tricep Extension Handles Close Grip Bench Press Bar ShouldersSeated Shoulder Press Bar 1 Arm Handled Shoulder Press 1 Arm HandledArnold Shoulder Press Upright Rows Bar Upright Rows Handle 1 Arm HandledLateral Raises 2 Arm Straight Bar Frontal Raises 1 Arm Handled FrontalRaises Bent Over Flies Handled Handled External Shoulder RotationHandled Shoulder Rotation Lying Down Standing Military Press Bar HandledInternal Shoulder Rotation Shrugs Bar Elevated Push Ups W/or W/O BandResistance Legs Squat Bar W/Resistance Squat In U-Can Squat Belt 1Legged Squat In U-Can Squat Belt Squats W/Handled Resistance Lunges BarLunges Handled Resistance Standing Leg Curls Toe Raises In U Can SquatBelt Toes Raises Bar/Handles Straight Leg Dead Lift Bar Standing LegCurl Ankle Strap Standing Leg Kick Ankle Strap Standing Knee Ups AnkleStrap Lying Down Single Leg Raise Ankle Strap Lying On Side Single LegRaise Leg Raises Incredi-ab Attachment/Ankle Strap Standing Leg AbductorAnkle Strap Twisting Leg Raises on Dip Attachment Seated Leg ExtensionsIncredi-ab or Ankle Strap Standing Leg Adductor Ankle Strap Abs CrunchesOn Knees Facing Unit Rope Resistance Crunches on Bench Rope/MultipleAngles Crunches With Exercise Ball and Band Resistance Hanging LegRaises Pull Up Bar Knee Ups Sitting on Bench Incredi-ab AttachmentOblique Knee Ups on Bench Incredi-ab Attachment Bridged Leg Lifts AnkleStrap Russian Twist Medicine Ball & Resistance Bands Diagonal ChopsMedicine Ball & Resistance Bands Forward Facing Chops Medicine Ball &Resistance Bands Standing Arm Rotation Handle Standing Rotational ChopsBall Handle Captain's Chair Exercise on Dip Bar Back Support ResistanceSide Bends Seated Ab Twist Sports Specific Baseball Throw Softball ThrowFootball Throw Golf Swing Baseball Swing Boxing Punch Training Glovesw/D Ring Heavy Bag Station Attach Bag to Pull Up Arm Kicking TrainingAnkle Bands

Returning to FIG. 30, an exact length of cord can be used with aparticular diameter cord to achieve optimum results. It has been foundthat the optimal length of the cord is 18 inches. With the ends and twoclips, this results in a device that is 28 inches long when laid outunstretched. The typical user will stretch the cord to twice the naturallength for optimum pull and an optimum workout. It is important that thedevice not be too long (which results in less force) or too short (whichresults in the cord reaching a stretch limit which the athlete'smovement at the wrong position). It is also very important to a goodworkout that there be a swivel clip on each end of the stretch cord. Apiece of covered tubing, or other intermediate connecting section, canbe used between the swivel clip and the cord to provide a possiblehand-hold and to reach the correct total length. This connection sectioncan be covered with a fabric such as NYLON™ This is shown in FIG. 32.

It should be noted that the overall length of substantially 28 inches isvery important so that the user can pull the cord to twice its lengthduring a normal exercise. The length of the stretch cord ofsubstantially 18 inches is also very important so that the correct forceis achieved over a total pull for the particular diameter. A connectingsection between the swivel clip and the stretch cord can be made fromcovered tubing and should be carefully chosen so that the unstretchedlength of the cord is substantially 18 inches and the unstretched lengthof the entire device is substantially 28 inches.

Accessories may then be clipped to one end of the device with the otherend attachable to the exercise device previously described, to a wall orto a ball that holds the cord by use of a closed room door.

Different pull forces can be achieved by providing the device of FIG. 30with different diameter stretch cords. This is shown in FIG. 33 forseveral different diameter cords. The pull force is measured when thestretch cord is pulled to approximately twice its unstretched length, orapproximately 36 inches. A range of different devices with differentpull strengths can thus be created. Typical values are 5 lb., 9 lb., 12lb., 18 lb., 25 lb., 35 lb., and 50 lb. devices. Cords can optionally becolor-coded for easy identification of pull force. Because the lengthsof the devices are all the same, it is also possible to double up two ormore cords to achieve a particular force. Various accessories such as ahandle grip, ankle strap, ab-strap, 8 lb. medicine ball, squat belt,curl bar and straight bar can be used. Wall or door anchors can be usedto secure the un-pulled end. Typically, two of the devices with equalforce are used in a particular workout. However, it is within the scopeof the present invention to use one device or to use two devices withdifferent pull forces at the same time. An example, might be a device ofone force for one arm and a second device with a different pull forcefor the corresponding leg.

A different accessory of the present invention is an ab-cart. This canbe a flat dolly-like cart with typically four swivel wheels. Embodimentscan have three rings for clipping onto the stretch cord devices justmentioned. This cart allows a complete workout of the abs by pulling viathe stretch cords in three different directions. The user sits on thecart with the three cords connected. By moving the cart again

Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid inunderstanding the present invention. One skilled in the art will realizethat numerous changes and variations are possible without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations iswithin the scope of the present invention.

I claim:
 1. An exercise device comprising: a dolly-like cart with atleast 4 wheels and three attachment hooks, said attachment hooks beingplaced on three sides of said cart; at least three stretch cord devices,each attached to one of said attachment hooks on said cart at a firstend and to a fixed structure at a second end; each of said stretch corddevices comprising: a stretch cord of a particular diametersubstantially 18 inches long in an unstretched condition with first andsecond ends; first and second swivel clips; first and second connectingsections, wherein said first connecting section connects the firstswivel clip with said first end, and said second connecting sectionconnects the second swivel clip with said second end, wherein, totallength of the device including said first and second swivel clips, saidfirst and second connecting sections and said stretch cord in anunstretched condition is substantially 28 inches long; and wherein theparticular diameter is chosen to achieve a desired pull force.
 2. Theexercise device of claim 1 wherein each stretch cord device iscolor-coded according to pull force.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid pull force is measured when said stretch cord is stretched toapproximately twice its unstretched length.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said wheels are swivel wheels.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said stretch cords each have equal pull forces of 5 lbs, 9 lbs.,or 12 lbs.
 6. A workout apparatus comprising a rectangular cart with abottom and four sides, said cart having four swivel wheels on saidbottom, and three hooks on three different of said sides; three workoutpull cord devices of equal pull force, each attached at one end to oneof said hooks and attached at a second end to a door or wall, each ofsaid workout pull cord devices comprising: an elastic stretch cordsubstantially 18 inches long with a diameter chosen for a particularpull force, said stretch cord having a swivel clip connected on each endwith a connecting section, wherein said apparatus has a totalunstretched length of substantially 28 inches.
 7. The apparatus of claim6 wherein each of said elastic stretch cords is color coded according topull force.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said pull force ismeasured when said elastic stretch cord is stretched to approximatelytwice its unstretched length.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein saidelastic stretch cords each have equal pull forces of 5 lbs, 9 lbs., or12 lbs.